'It all started as a way to inspire the kids' Digby artist's Facebook post goes viral

Tiffany Barrett, a crossing guard at Digby Elementary School, painted a mural on a wall at the school but she didn't expect a viral response when she posted it online. - Amanda Doucette

Tiffany Barrett started painting the halls of Digby Elementary School three years ago.

“I just started painting and I didn’t want to stop,” she said.

She paints quotes in the bathrooms, teacher’s doors and murals on the walls.

“It all started as a way to inspire the kids.”

After finishing a painting, she always posts a photo to Facebook.

Usually her pictures get close to 50 likes from friends, family and faculty of the school.

Recently, she painted a quote on the school wall that she found on Pinterest by Bryan Skavnak. After posting it online she couldn’t believe the response.

“It just sky rocketed, and I still can’t understand how.”

Barrett’s photo on Facebook went viral.

As of the morning of April 16, a photo she took with her son and the quote was shared more than 281,550 times.

The numbers keep climbing.

For teacher appreciation week, she painted teacher's doors with a design or quote of their choice. Kathryn Sivret's door is a favourite among many. Some say they can see themselves in at least one of the kids painted on the door.

“I’m shocked, I never thought I would receive this much attention.”

She’s received messages from strangers in Hong Kong, England, the United States and all over the world, complimenting her piece.

“The most rewarding part of this all, is the outpour of support this is getting. It’s a really positive thing for the town, the kids and the school.”

Barrett was previously involved with Home and School at Digby Elementary and she's a crossing guard there.

Bryan Skavnak, who lives in Minneapolis, runs an initiative called ‘Be the Nice Kid’. Where he encourages kids, parents and teachers with positive thinking.

He’s since messaged Barrett, thanking her for sharing his quote in such a positive way and he’s even shared her photo on his own Facebook page.

Skavnak wrote the quote for a group of his golf students in 2011.

"Some kids are smarter than you, some kids have cooler clothes than you, some kids are better at sports than you. It doesn't matter. You have your thing too. Be the kid who can get along. Be the kid who is generous. Be the kid who is happy for others. Be the kid who does the right thing. Be the nice kid."

Barrett is currently planning her next masterpiece.

Darren Porter, Vice Principal of Digby Elementary is thankful for all the hard work Barrett puts into the school.

“Were privileged to have a lady who wants to do so much for our school.”

Porter enjoys all the paintings Barrett has done, including the one on his office door of the many ties he wears. Porter doesn’t know how the Facebook post went viral, but he’s happy to see Barrett getting recognition.

“This is just one of many, but it seems to be a lot of people’s favorite.”